Primary cell



l. C. BLAKE PRIMARY CELL slept. 3o, 1952 Patented Sept. 30, 195.2

-- van c. Blake, Freeport, I11.,'a.ssignor to Burgess Battery Company, Freeport, Ill., a' 'corporation of Delaware A Application Mayas), 1951, rSerial-Ni.'223,139.3'

1 This invention relates to improvements 'in currenteproducing primary cellsjand particularly to `cells "of this character -havin'g 'a 'magnesium negative electrode.

A vprimary cell having ama'gnesiu'm' -negative lectrode 'and an aqueous electrolyte has :been 'developed and vis 'described in .an article entitled Magnesium Dry lCells vby R. Kirk :and-AAB. Fry, J. Electrochemical Society, volume `94, pages '907, and th'e present invention relates to lan improvement in'cellsof this character whereby' 'their "capacity, both fresh and after beinglin storage, is increased;

lBriei-ly, inthe cellfvvhicli iskno'wn, the nef'gative and positive electrodesare composed of magnesium `and carbon and the carbon `electrode'is vembedded in ja depolarizin'g 'mixrisimilar tov that employed in vthe 'conventional vIieclanch` cell rand composed 'o'f amixture Aof powdered manganese dioxide 'and carbon, and the 'electrolyte is an aqueous solution of abromidesuch as magnesium bromide. A small amount of barium chromate, BaCrOl, is included in the depolarizing mix to inhibit spontaneous -oorrosion'of themagnesium lelectrode and vprovide lincreasedv capacity and 'improved shelf life.

'In accordance with the present invention, lit has been discovered that in a Icell of 'the character described, the use of 'a double chromate of barium from the group consisting of barium Ipotassium 'chromate, 'BaKnCrOll '2, barium sodium ohr'om'ate, BaNa2"(CrO4) 2 and Abarium ammonium cl'rornate,` 'BaObI-HDZGCIOQz, provides capacity and Shel-f life which is" very substantially increasedoverthat obtained with lthe fuse' of barium chromat'e.

- fz claims, (01. 'ilse-#93) magnesium, V`3% aluminum and l1% zinc is very suitable for use, and when the term magnesium is lusedhereinfi't is intended to embrace magnesiuin-'b'as'e alloys Aof "the general character described. v

` 'Uponthebottom of cup l0 is a layer I2 of non- 'c'onductiv'e material, )such as paper orpulp-b'oard Which vis impregnated With a material suchas Wai; so as vto be impervious to the electrolyte. lIi desired, 'the ',layerlZ may be unimpregnated so that "it :i'siper'vio's `to the electrolyte. Located 'layer I2 is' the body 'l`6 6i 'depol'ariz'ing mix `vvhicli is a mixture of 'iinely dividedA particles of a suit- -able oxidizing agent and a conductive substance, such as manganes'e dioxide 'and carbon.

Between'the'mixbodyjf'and the interior surv fa'c'e of .magnesium cup rI0 is a separating layer Il which may be composed of gelatini'zed starch ora biblous sheet lsuch as absorbent paper. lThe `depolariZing Amii( 16 .and separator 'M are 4mois- If a gelis used instead of a bibulous sheet for 4'It is, accordingly, the object of the invention to provide l'an improved primary. cell 'of the character-described having substantially rinc'zreasee'l capacity andfshelf life.

To .provide an understanding of the invention, it will vbe described in connection `with va specific embodiment of a pri-marycel-l. This -is done eby YWay o'f illustration vand vnot of limitation, liovv:

ever, .since the invention relates to the .composition of the cell 'and structural forms other than *that vdescribed .herein may be used.

The vsingle figure of the drawing is .a sectional 'elevationof the embodiment of the'cel1."'

- The cell is yof cylindrical shape similar 'to 'that employed in the 'conventional flashlight cell. The negative electrode "I0 isA in the yform of "an open'- top cup rand is composed o f magnesium or 'a mage -nesium-base alloy. An alloy composed of '9'6"% til() separator i4, this may be 'composed of the described'electrolyte with the addition of a suitable amount vof 'starch or a Vmixture "oi starch and cereal vflour `such as Wheat iiour. The composition 'i's heated to gelatiniz'e the cereal. A'gel separ'ator"which doesnot require heating for gelati'nizati'o'ri in'ay'be made by increasing the concentration 'of the electrolyte compound inthe 'described electrolyte; y Embfeddedwithili'the IiflX body T6 'and'pioje'cting upwardly therefrom is' the carbon lrod/posi'- tiv'e electrode 1I 8f vvhich'has Aa conductive :terminal 'cap 20j-of metal such 'as'bra'ss fitting upon 'the top4 end "thereon Spa`ced-above the mix"'l6 'and separator lfis the-washer 22 vof non-conductive material such fas cardboard which its' `tightly yupon theV carbon r'od 1B r'and against `the linterior surface of the cup I'p and is thereby held inplace.

Upon the'was'herZ'Z isa relatively thick 'layeiz The space 24 between the washer 22 andthe top of the mix -body I6 is an expansion space for the accommodation of gases which may be formed during the operation of the cell. A cylindrical jacket 28 of a suitable non-conductive material such as cardboard or the like nts upon vthe exterior side Wall of the cup l and provides protection and insulation against exterior objects.

In accordance with the present invention,V a double chromate of barium from the group consisting of barium potassium chromate, bariuml sodium chromate and barium ammonium chro mate is included in the cell to increase the capacity and shelf life thereof. The barium potassium chromate consists substantially entirely of the' true double chromate. The two other compounds each consists predominantly of the double chrogoing with the difference that barium chromate,

BaCrOi, has been employed instead of the double chromates of barium which have been described.

A,In accordance with such known construction, a

mate and contains minor amounts of the two unpounds will be referred to herein as the double chromates. Barium potassium chromate is preferred. u j f j The above double chromates'are sparingly soluble in water and go into solution inthe electrolyte at a gradual rate. The amount .of each compound which has become dissolved in 100 grams of water after standing therein at n70 F.

with periodic shaking is as follows: Barium potassium chromate, 1.86 grams; barium sodium chromate, 2.38 grams; barium ammonium Achromate 3.14 grams. Forthis reason the concentration of chromate ion in the electrolyte isveri7 low atv any time *but it is constantly replenished by the undissolved excess present as it is consumed during the life ofthe cell.

The compound may be introduced into the cell by any rdesired method, as by mixing it inthe velectrolyte or incorporating itin the separating layer-I4 or the depolarizing mix I6. It'is substantially equally effective when introduced by any of such methods. The preferred method is to incorporate it in the mix l 6 -by mixing it with the other ingredients thereof. Since the mix is moistened with the electrolyte, the compound becomes` dissolved slowly in the electrolyte 'and thereby is made available at thesurface of the magnesium electrode. In accordance with the invention the compound is utilized byA being placed in access relation'to the electrolyte.

An amount of the'ldouble chromate is used which is sufcient'to inhibit spontaneous corrosion of the magnesium electrode preferably for atleastthe life of the cell. The amount which may be used is not critical and may be varied over a relatively wide range. The total amount required for the life of the cell is only a small quantity, and an excessive amount should be avoided as the excess Arepresents a waste ofthe compound and may occupy Space which would otherwise be occupied to better advantage 4by the depolarizing mix. Amounts which have been used with success are about .0030 to .030 gram, expressed in terms of CrOs, per square centimeter of magnesium electrode surface exposedto the electrolyte. An amo-unt which providesY .015 gram of CrOs perY square centimeter Vhas hbeen used with very goodA results. YThe range .given is approximately equivalent to about 0.25% Vto 2.5% of the total dry weight of thedepolarizing mix, expressed in terms of CrOa. v 'A .h

A` small amount of lithium chromate may be i i,ncludedvin the electrolyte for the purpose of assisting in inhibiting spontaneous corrosion of the magnesium electrode. For example, .0.05

to 0.3 gram of LizCrO4 per liter of electrolyte may combined single chromates involved. The V,com-v, y

small proportion cf barium chromate is included in the depolarizing mix, as for example about 3% of BaCrOi, based on the total dry weight of the mix. It has .been found that the cell of thepresent invention exhibits substantially increased capacity and shelf life over the cells known heretofore. l

. 'I'o yshow the superior` performance lof cells in .accordance with the present invention, cells were made up of the construction specifically described hereinbefore and illustrated in the drawing Vwhich were identical except Ythat one lot contained barium potassium chromate in the depolarizing'inix while the other lot contained an equal amount of barium rchromate inthe mix. The cells were of the conventionalcylindrical flashlight type 'andsize.. The mix fl6 was composed of 91 parts by weight manganese dioxide,

6 parts thermal acetylene black and.3 parts .of the chromate. In lot No. l the chromate' was barium lpotassium chromate in accordance with the present nvention,`fand.in lotvNo, 2 it4 was barium chromate in accordance with constructionsA known heretofore.'` .One `thousand vgrams of this dry mix was moistened with 270 grams (250 cc.) of electrolytefcomposed of an aqueous solution containing 300 Igrains per liter of MgBracHo arator I4 was made by mixing a suspensionv cornposed of 300 cc. water, 75 grams ycorn starchand 25 grams wheat flour with an equal volume of an aqueous solution containingv1200 grams per liter MgBrz.6H2O and 0.4 gram per liter LizCrOi.

The open circuit voltage of the lcells of both lots when fresh was approximately 2.0 volts.V The cells of yboth lots were stored for three months'at approximately 70 F. and were thensubjected to discharge performance tests as follows Batteries of two cells connected in series weredisL charged through a resistance of 13.33 ohmsffor four minutes each half hour for ten hours'pe'r day, five days per week until an end point, 'of '1.87volts for each battery of two cells connected in series had been reached. This is in-a'ccordan'ce with the Joint Army-Navy Dry Battery ySpecication for BatteryBA-30- Two batteriesof each lot were tested. Capacities are given below indays of discharge service renderedk under the described test before the end point of 1.87 volt fortwo cells connected in series was reached, not

estacas including the-uwsl dayszweeicwhen the bat- -ierieswere ai rest- Wesens were .es .-f01l9ws1 Table No.1" if* Lot v y infn.. Battery Nef Batte No. 2

After ve months storage at 70 F. ten ycells of each lot were tested for open circuit voltage and short circuit current, and the data for the tests The Army-Navy test described above` does not provide for the testing of freshly made batteries,

but diierent lots, namely lots 3 and 4, were subjected to such tests. The cells and batteries of lots 3 and 4 were similar in every respect to those of lots 1 and 2 with the exception that the proportions of the depolarizing mix were different, being 87 parts by Weight of manganese dioxide,

parts of thermal acetylene black and 3 parts'- of chromate compound. In lotNo. 3 the chromate compound was barium potassium chromate and in lot No. 4 it Was barium chromate. The batteries were tested for capacity when fresh and the test was similar to the capacity test described heretofore. The capacity data are as follows:

v Table No. 3 l Days Lot No. 3: p

Battery No. 1 29.82 Battery No. 2 30.17 Lot No. 4:

Battery No. 1 21.8. Battery No. 2 26.5y

The above'data show a definite superiority in capacity and the ability to deliver current for the cell containing the double chromate over that containing barium chromate. They also show a more uniform open circuit voltage and short circuit current for the cells of the present-invention.l

While data are given for only the cell containing barium potassium chromate, similar performance is exhibited by cells containing barium sodium chromate and barium ammonium chromate.

The reason forthe improved capacity and shelf life caused by the use of the double vchromates described:A herein: iisiriotj known. It. .is:. believed,

howe'n'erf...thatlitzmay .be because.- thel chromate ions are released in an advantageousmanner.

.As'statedheretoford the. compounds fare ysparingly :solilbglefandrfginto: solution-at; 'a- .gradual-rate. .'.O-nlyra'.portionof..thel comlldund: is Ein` solutionwat any; onetimeii and'it is believedfthat 'as .thezcomzpoundnis @utilized` .'or.k consumed the@ action ac'- zcompanyingr theziinhibitingf.functionpunore .fofiit is progressively dissolved and thechroi'nate :ions

aralrelea'sed ingan advantageous manner-.such

that the capacity is favorably maintained and an increased shelf life is realized.

What is claimed is: l

1. A current-producing primary cell comprising a positive electrode, a magnesium negative electrode, an electrolyte in contact with said electrodes comprising an aqueous solution of av bromide from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, lithium, ammonium, sodium, potassium and strontium bromides; for inhibiting spontaneous corrosion of said negative electrode a compound in access relation to Vsaid electrolyte from the group consisting of barium potassium chromate, barium sodium chromate andl barium ammonium chromate.

2. A current-producing primary cell comprising a positive electrode, a magnesium negative electrode, an electrolyte in contact with said electrodes comprising an aqueous solution of a bromide from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, lithium,ammonium, sodium, potassium and strontium bromides, and a compound in access relation to said electrolyte from the group consisting of barium potassium chromate, barium sodium chromate and barium ammonium chromate in amount sufficient to provide .0030 to .030 gram of CrOa per square centimeter of negative electrode surface in contact with said electrolyte.

3. A current-producing primary cell comprising a positive electrode, a magnesium negative electrode, an electrolyte in contact with said electrodes comprising an aqueous solutionv of a bromide from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, lithium, ammonium, sodium, potassium and strontium bromides, a depolarizing mix in contact with said positive electrode; for inhibiting spontaneous corrosion of said negative electrode a compound in `said depolarizing mix from the group consisting of barium potassium chromate, barium sodium chromate and barium ammonium chromate, said compound being present in an amount such that the CrOs thereof comprises about 0.25% to 2.5% of the dry Weight of said mix. i.

4. In a current-producing primary .cell having a positive electrode and a magnesium negative electrode and an aqueous bromide electrolyte in contact with said electrodes; for inhibiting spontaneous corrosionl of said negative electrode a compound in access relation to said electrolyte from the group consisting of barium potassiuml chromate, barium sodium chromate and barium ammonium chromate.

5. In a current-producing primaryl cell having a positive electrode and amagnesium negative relectrode and an aqueous bromide electrolyte in contact with said electrodes; for inhibiting spontaneous corrosion of said negative electrode barium potassium chromate in access relation 'tol said electrolyte.

6. In a current producing primary cell Ahaving a positive electrode and a magnesium negative electrode and an aqueous bromide electrolyte in contact withsaid electrodes; for inhibiting sponrium ammonium .chromate inaccess relation t0 2,491,640 Blake D ec. 20, 1949 said electrolyte. Y. Y 1 10 c 1 IVAN C'.. BLAKE;

taneous corrosion of said` negative electrode ba. y VREFERENCES CITED l Hum sodlum Chromate m acess relation@ Sad TheA following references are of record in th V8165761:lcnlyawec.: I l t y K d `cmg imarsrfnell'havng me of this patent: y y I urren pro u r c n a positvezfelectrode and a, magnesiumy negative 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS velectrode and anaqueous bromide velectrolytein vNumber Name Date contact with-said electrodes; 'for inhibiting. spon- 1,839,498 Porth j Jang-5. 1932 taneous' corrosion of said negativerlectrode ba- 2,422,045 Ruben June 10, 1947 

4. IN A CURRENT-PRODUCING PRIMARY CELL HAVING A POSITIVE ELECTRODE AND A MAGNESIUM NEGATIVE ELECTRODE AND AN AQUEOUS BROMIDE ELECTROLYTE IN CONTACT WITH SAID ELECTRODES: FOR INHIBITING SPONTANEOUS CORROSION OF SAID NEGATIVE ELECTRODE A COMPOUND IN ACCESS RELATION TO SAID ELECTROLYTE FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF BARIUM POTASSIUM 